Tuesday, March 03, 2015, 2:17 p.m.

The Clinton crisis

The Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton
TO OUR READERS: The report submitted to the House of Representatives by the independent counsel's investigation into President Bill Clinton is reproduced here, with Clinton's two responses and a transcript of his videotaped testimony. Readers may find this material offensive and may not want their children to read it.

A member of the Arkansas Supreme Court Alternate Committee on Professional Conduct who contributed $1,500 to President Clinton's presidential campaigns has recused from a review of ethics complaints that seek to revoke Clinton's law license.

Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a videotaped deposition from the White House on April 25, 1998, in lieu of an appearance before a federal grand jury meeting in Little Rock. Part of that testimony was made public Tuesday when the tape was played during Susan McDougal's trial on obstruction of justice and criminal contempt of court charges.

Former Sen. Dale Bumpers' summation of the case for President Clinton's defense, as transcribed by the Federal News Service.
Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished House managers from the House of Representatives, colleagues. I have seen the look of disappointment on many faces, because I know a lot of people thought you were rid of me once and for all. And I've taken a lot of ribbing this afternoon. But I have seriously negotiated with some people, particularly on this side, by an offer to walk out and not deliver this speech in exchange for a few votes. I understand three have it under active consideration.

The text of Saturday's speech by Rep. Bob Livingston, R-La., during the House debate on articles of impeachment against President Clinton:
Mr. Speaker, I rise with the fondest hopes that the bitterness engendered in this debate will at its conclusion be put aside and that all members will return to their families for the holidays mindful of what has been done here by we as agents of principle.

The text of President Clinton's remarks at the White House on Saturday, as transcribed by the Federal Document Clearing House:
Let me begin by expressing my profound and heartfelt thanks to Congressman Gephardt and the leadership and all the members of the Democratic caucus for what they did today.

Here are President Clinton's answers to the questions submitted by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde regarding Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Sometimes, Clinton furnished a single answer to several questions. Footnotes, referring to grand jury testimony, affidavits or other legal documents, have been omitted.

The text of independent counsel Kenneth Starr's letter to Sam Dash in response to Dash's resignation:
Dear Sam:
I have received your letter of today. As you know, I have the greatest respect and admiration for your integrity, your wisdom and the invaluable assistance you have provided throughout my tenure as independent counsel. You were there at the beginning, and save for a teaching sabbatical, you have been there throughout.

The text of Sam Dash's letter of resignation to independent counsel Kenneth Starr:
Dear Ken,
I hereby submit my resignation as outside consultant and adviser to you and your Office of Independent Counsel, effective at noon today.

Text of the questions from presidential attorney David Kendall to Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and Starr's answers before the House Judiciary Committee, as transcribed by the Federal Document Clearing House:
KENDALL: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Conyers, members of the committee, my name is David Kendall. I'm the personal attorney for President Clinton. My task is to respond to the two hours of uninterrupted testimony from the independent counsel, as well as to his four-year, $45 million investigation, which has included at least 28 attorneys, 78 FBI agents and an undisclosed number of private investigators, an investigation which has generated -- by a computer count -- 114,532 news stories in print, and 2,513 minutes of network television time, not to mention 24-hour scandal coverage on cable, a 445-page referral, 50,000 pages of documents from secret grand jury testimony, four hours of videotaped testimony, 22 hours of audiotape -- some which was gathered in violation of state law -- and the testimony of scores of witnesses, not one of whom has been cross-examined.

The following excerpts were taken from testimony of Kenneth Starr in the House Judiciary Committee's hearings into the impeachment of President Clinton.
Excerpts of the cross-examination by Abbe Lowell, minority counsel:
LOWELL: This is how your report has been described: "It is a report that marshals and characterizes the information into an aggressive piece of legal advocacy. It is one where ... few of the factual assertions are left to speak for themselves. In short, it is a document with an attitude. It is notable for its failure to acknowledge that there might be more than one way to view at least some of the evidence."

The prepared text of Kenneth Starr's testimony Thursday (Nov. 19, 1998) to the House Judiciary Committee:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome this opportunity to appear before the committee and to provide information relating to the committee's inquiry into possible impeachable offenses by the president of the United States. This is my first opportunity to publicly report on certain issues related to our investigation. I look forward to doing so and assisting the committee.